Lang Whitaker is many things - executive editor of Slam Magazine, a columnist for SI.com, and most importantly, a die-hard Hawks fan. After a successful run as a columnist for the Hawks last year, he's is back for another go in 2008-09 to share his thoughts on the team exclusively for Hawks.com. Check back every Thursday throughout the season to read his latest musings, and read him every day at www.SLAMonline.com

"Quarter Season Awards"
by Lang Whitaker

So we're officially at the quarter pole, one-fourth of the way into the 2008-09 season, and our Atlanta Hawks barely have their heads above water, sitting at 12-9. And it's been the most confusing start to a season that I can recall in a long time. If you'd told me before the season that we'd be 12-9 one-fourth of the way into the season, I'd have said that sounds about right. But if you'd told me that our 12-9 record would include a 6-0 start and then a 3-9 run…well, maybe I would've said that that sounds about right as well. Because as we all know, with the Hawks you never know what's going to happen next. Which is to say, we always know that we won't ever know.

Anyway, at this point in the campaign, I thought we could give out a few awards…

MVP: Joe Johnson
Obviously. He's our best player, by far, and I hope Atlanta Spirit is already barraging JJ with emails and phone calls and trying to talk to him about an extension before the summer of 2010 rolls around and Joe hits free agency and every team in the League has buckets of money to throw around. I have nightmares about this.

Most Improved: Marvin Williams
When we lost Josh Childress, we not only lost a key bench player, but we also lost a guy who helped stretch the floor and create room inside for Al Horford and Josh Smith. Marvin came out of nowhere this year with a dead-eye three-point shot that he's displayed time and again early on. And I've liked his recent willingness not to settle on the jumper and drive to the rim when defenders run at him.

Missing In Action: Josh Smith
This isn't Josh's fault, since he's been out and then recovering from that high ankle sprain. But I really feel Josh being out is what kicked us into that 3-9 tailspin. Don't forget, the Hawks worked out the kinks in the preseason then came out on all cylinders when the season started. Josh being gone was like taking a tire off a car -- you might can go a little ways, but you're not going to compete in the Indy 500. We need Josh back healthy and hitting on cylinders, and I'm hopeful this upcoming 8-game home stretch will help make that happen.

Best Addition: Flip Murray
Nothing against Mo Evans, who's also been terrific, but Flip's awesome. We haven't had a truly dangerous scorer (who could create his own shot) off the bench since Lenny Wilkens relegated JR Rider, but Flip gives us that weapon, that edge we've been missing. Plus, as I told Wifey recently, how can anyone not like a person named Flip?

Guy I'm Still Waiting On: Mike Bibby
Mike's been a heckuva scorer this season, averaging his highest ppg in the last three years. And I'm not that concerned with his assist totals -- which are lower than Joe's -- because in the Hawks offense Bibby generally ends up setting up a play and then spotting up from three. But what I'm still waiting on from Bibby is for him to drive to the basket and defend a little harder. I know Josh does most of the driving, but I'd love to see Bibby go the basket more often and either get easy buckets or draw fouls. Not to mention see him make his perimeter defense more consistent.

Secret Second-Half Breakout Prediction: Acie Law
Think about it: Almost every time he's on the court, Acie flashes athleticism and guile. But thus far he hasn't been able to play his way into consistent rotation minutes. I'm guessing he continues to log minutes and eventually, some time around the All-Star break, it clicks and Acie finds his niche.

MAILING IT IN…

This week we hear from reader Ben, who writes…

Hi Lang,
My friend Adam and I are students at Virginia Tech and we are die-hard Atlanta Hawks fans. I wanted to share with you our radio show here in Blacksburg called Hawk Tawk. It is run through a link that I'll post below and updated weekly. The radio show is designed to be humorous and exaggerated but it is mostly serious and we love our Hawks. Let me know what you think. Also, each week we have a guest caller or speaker. Maybe you would be available to call in for an upcoming show?

You had me from the theme song. Great stuff guys. Here's a link to episode one and episode two. Thanks for writing in and hopefully we can keep building Hawk Nation. And yeah, I'll definitely come on. Hit me up!

Lang Whitaker is the executive editor of SLAM magazine and writes daily at SLAMonline.com. He can be reached at lang@harris-pub.com. The best email he receives each week will run in this column.